SEGD_Design - (Page 45) Wayfinding Goes Digital From touch-screens to handheld devices, the future of digital wayfinding is in your hands. BY JENNY S. REISING ong considered the flashy stepsister of traditional signage, digital signage has generally been known for its chameleonlike ability to convey multiple messages, loop promotions, or display ambient imagery. Think Times Square, highway billboards, and retail marketing. But although it can be big, bright, and bold, it’s had trouble getting outside the box. With the arrival of digital wayfinding, however, content is going from promotional to informational, complementing static signage in complex indoor and outdoor environments. And with portable mobile devices and cell phones becoming ever more sophisticated and ubiquitous, digital wayfinding is poised to jump out of the box and into the palm of your hand. L Top: The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has installed the first digital wayfinding system of its kind. The system was developed in response to demand for wayfinding information from the museum’s 7.5 million annual visitors. Photos: Courtesy Launch Dynamic Media Above: The Smithsonian’s digital wayfinding system was constructed much like a website, using open-source code, a browser and Internet connection, databases, and Flash animation. The content is managed through a custom content management system and displayed on LCD screens. 42 segdDESIGN
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.